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Back when I was 10, I came across a story in my local paper about the World Air Guitar Competition, held annually every year in my native city of Oulu, Finland. My parents had volunteered at the inaugural contest back in 1996 – my mum handed out flyers, my dad organized the music. Since then, country-level contests have been held in many nations, with the titleholders converging in Oulu each August.

Back then, I asked my parents if I could enter. At first they were hesitant; the show was in a bar, and there would be many grown-ups. They thought it might be an intimidating atmosphere, but I was determined.

In my youth, I was always performing air guitar, miming along to the most popular rock tunes with my make-believe instrument. Mom and Dad were lovers of music – my dad loved The Boss and U2. the Australian rockers was the initial group I found independently. Angus Young, the guitar hero, was my idol.

Upon entering the spotlight, I did my routine to AC/DC’s that classic track. The audience started chanting “Angus”, reminiscent of the concert version, and it dawned on me: this must be to be a rock star. I made it to the finals, playing to crowds in the town square, and I was hooked. I was dubbed “Little Angus” that day.

After that I stopped. I was a judge one year, and kicked off the show another time, but I didn’t compete. I came back at 18, experimented with various stage names, but people kept calling me “Little Angus” so I embraced it and choose “The Angus” as my stage name. I’ve reached the finals annually from 2022 onward, and in 2023 I placed second, so I was set to take the title this year.

Our global network is like a support system. Our guiding principle is ‘Make air, not war’. It may seem funny, but it’s a true ethos.

The contest is intense but joyful. Contestants have one minute to give everything – dynamic presence, perfect mime, stage magnetism – on an invisible guitar. Judges rate you on a scale from 4.0 to 6.0. When it's a draw, there’s an “air-off” between the final two contestants: a track is selected and you improvise.

Training is crucial. I picked an a metal group song for my act. I listened to it on a loop for weeks. I practiced flexibility, trying to get my lower body prepared enough to jump, my digits quick enough to mimic solos and my upper body prepared for those bends and jumps. When the big day arrived, I could sense the music in my bones.

After everyone had performed, the points were announced, and I had tied with the titleholder from Japan, the Japanese titleholder – it was moment for an final showdown. We went head-to-head to the Guns N’ Roses hit by the iconic band. When I heard the song, I felt comforted because it was familiar to me, and more than anything I was so eager to play again. As they declared I’d emerged victorious, the venue exploded.

It's all a bit fuzzy. I think I blacked out from the excitement. Then everyone started singing the song the anthem Rockin' in the Free World and raised me up on to their arms. A former champion – AKA his stage name – a past winner and one of my closest friends, was hugging me. I cried. I was Finland’s first air guitar world champion in two and a half decades. The previous Finnish champion, the earlier victor, was in attendance as well. He gave me the biggest hug and said it was “long overdue”.

This worldwide group is like a support system. The phrase we live by is “Make air, not war”. Though it appears comical, but it’s a real philosophy. Competitors come from many countries, and everyone is positive and uplifting. Prior to performing, all participants shows support. Then for 60 seconds you’re free to be free, humorous, the ultimate music icon in the world.

Besides that, I'm a drummer and guitarist in a group with my sibling called the group title, named after the sports figure, as we’re fans of Britpop and new wave. I’ve been serving drinks for a few years now, and I create independent videos and performance clips. The victory hasn’t changed my day-to-day life too much but I’ve been doing a lot of press, and I aspire it brings more innovative opportunities. Oulu will be a European capital of culture the coming year, so there are exciting things ahead.

Currently, I’m just thankful: for the group, for the opportunity to play, and for that young child who found a story and thought, “I'd love to try that.”